The next pipe on the table came to me in January 2021 from the Liberty Antique Mall in Liberty, Missouri. We had traveled to South Florida with family for Christmas and were making our way back to Colorado pulling our 20’ R-pod travel trailer. We had caravaned from Colorado to Florida with our daughter and …
The Bulldog now on the worktable came to me from a very generous donor who did the leg work for me. Nancy and her husband Mark are from Johnson City, Tennessee and attend Westminster Presbyterian Church, a church that prayerfully and financially supported our work in Europe for over 30 years. Over the years, we …
Continue reading A Pipe for Commemoration: Breathing New Life into an Unbranded Bent Bulldog
It’s been a long road getting back to the worktable to work on the next pipe. I DO appreciate the patience of pipemen waiting for their commissioned pipes. The trip my wife and I finished the beginning of the February took us to Southern California where we celebrated Christmas and New Year's with family and …
Continue reading An Upgrade for a Whimsical Lorenzo Hourglass Matera Studio 807 Italy
The next pipe on the worktable came to me in November 2021 when my wife and I were on a road trip. As we were cruising through Des Moines, Iowa on I-70, we saw the sign for the Brass Armadillo – a huge antique mall. We decided to stop and see what treasures we could …
Continue reading New Life for a Barontini Lite 22 Italy Bent Dublin
This will be my last pipe restoration of 2025 and officially declared to be a ‘Pipe for Christmas’ because of the festive vibe it invites. The ruby red finish, the gold band and the black acrylic stem – all shout, ‘Merry Christmas!’ with promises of a bowlful of Christmas blend. My wife and I will …
Continue reading A Pipe for Christmas – An Yves of St. Claude Made in France 55
This is the third pipe Justin commissioned destined to be a gift for one of the fellows in his church home group or perhaps to his father. I came upon these pipes from Bulgaria in August 2021 and why did Justin want these 4 pipes found on the same pipe picking expedition in the coastal …
The next pipe on the worktable is the second of 4 pipes commissioned by Justin who is a fellow follower of Jesus and lives in Alabama. These 4 pipes Justin commissioned are gifts for 3 good friends in his church home group. The other pipe is going to Justin’s father. I told the full story …
Continue reading The Second Gift of Four From Bulgaria: A Denicotea Absorba 2164 Bent Rhodesian
The next four pipes on the worktable were commissioned by pipeman Justin from the great state of Alabama. Justin should receive a reward for being the most stalwart Pipe Dreamer that I know! His fame comes from his pipe dreaming when he commissioned what I called a ‘Bless his heart’ pipe. I would say, Justin …
Continue reading The First of Four Gifts From Bulgaria: A Prince Amled Danmark Freehand Pickaxe
I’m thankful for the Pipemen and women who wait patiently for their commissioned pipes to make their way to the worktable. After ‘officially’ retiring at the end of August, my wife and I continue to be as busy as ever. One of our most enjoyable avocations, which requires the patience of pipemen and women, is …
Continue reading New Life for a Rare, Early 1960s Kaywoodie ‘Tuckaway’ Standard 050B
The next pipe on the worktable was the second commission of pipeman Bill from the state of Georgia who works as a Control System Engineer contracted to the Department of Energy. Bill has commissioned a few other pipes from me, but the last was a challenge. I named the write up accurately because of the …
Continue reading Refreshing an AMPHORA X-tra 732 Made in Holland Blasted Pickaxe
The Pipe Steward 